Survey: Apple iPad interest slips after unveiling

That’s according to a new survey by online technology shopping site Retrevo. Before the launch, 26 percent of respondents said they were not interested in buying an Apple tablet. After last week’s announcement of the iPad, 52 percent said they weren’t interested.

Before the launch, 49 percent said they didn’t think they needed an Apple Tablet. After the unveiling, the figure went up to 61 percent.

The positive news for Apple is that most everyone knows about the iPad, which can’t be said for most competing devices. Before launching, less than half or 48 percent said they had heard of the Apple tablet. Now, with all the press coverage, only 18 percent said they haven’t heard about the iPad.

The survey found that users are more likely to gravitate to the Wi-Fi only iPad models. Fifty-nine percent of respondents said they wouldn’t pay more for 3G, while 29 percent said they would think about it. And 12 percent said they would be willing to pay for 3G service.

So what do you take from all this? Well, any device is gonna be more popular when you can ascribe all kinds of fanciful attributes and features to it. The reality usually can’t live up to the speculation so there’s bound to be some disappointment.

Critics also listing the iPad’s omissions probably haven’t helped the device either. Adobe Flash, a camera, multi-tasking, these are all popular features that will go missing on the iPad.

But I think we’ll just have to see how the buying public actually responds when they get to finally interact with the iPad and imagine it in their everyday lives. Yes, it reminds people of a big iPod Touch and that may curb some enthusiasm from people who were expecting more. But once people get their hands on it, they’re also gonna see this is more than just that.

How much more depends on developer and content provider support. But I’d say let’s see. We’re forgetting that the cheapest iPad will sell for $499 by late March, which is a lot less than many people were expecting. This isn’t as cheap as a netbook but the price is going to be very compelling, especially for Apple lovers and those people already thinking about buying a netbook or e-reader.